A Trump moon post declared “The Moon Is Ours,” but international space law bars countries from claiming lunar sovereignty. President Donald Trump shared the image on Truth Social on Sunday, September 6, 2026.
The image shows a cratered lunar landscape, Earth in the background and an American flag alongside the message. An archived copy of the post records its publication at 1:56 p.m. Eastern time.
The wording suggests American ownership, but the post itself does not establish a legal claim or change the moon’s status.
Can a Country Claim the Moon?
The 1967 Outer Space Treaty sets out a central rule for space exploration: countries cannot take ownership of the moon or other celestial bodies by claiming sovereignty, using them or occupying them.
The treaty also establishes that exploration and use of outer space should benefit all countries. A social media declaration does not override those principles.
That distinction matters when interpreting Trump’s message. Sharing an image about American ownership is different from establishing an enforceable territorial claim.
Trump Also Suggests ‘New America’ for New Mexico
In a separate Sunday post, Trump shared a map suggesting that New Mexico should become “New America.” The image crossed out “Mexico” and replaced it with “America,” according to CNN’s reporting.
The White House reshared the image on X. However, CNN reported that the administration had not announced a formal effort to change the state’s name.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham rejected the suggestion, saying, “New Mexico’s name isn’t up for debate.” The proposal concerned the U.S. state, not the neighboring country of Mexico.
Social Posts Do Not Automatically Change Names
The New Mexico suggestion followed Trump’s executive action to change Lake Ontario’s name to “Lake America” in the federal geographic names system, CNN reported. That action came amid trade tensions with Canada.
However, changing a geographic label in a federal database differs from legally renaming a state. CNN reported that a state name change would require a process within the state rather than a unilateral presidential decision.
The moon image and New Mexico map therefore remain distinct from completed legal changes. One makes an ownership statement that conflicts with international space principles; the other proposes a state name that has not been formally adopted.